Court sittings across regional WA will be suspended for nearly three months due to an inability to guarantee court security and custodial services.
In an announcement issued by the state’s heads of jurisdiction, it was confirmed that long-standing arrangements between the Department of Justice and Western Australia Police under the Court Security and Custodial Services Act 1999 cannot ensure the provision of police officers for court security duties in many regional locations in the coming months. The development means that, except in exceptional circumstances, police will not be available to perform court security and custodial roles — functions described as essential to the safe and effective operation of court proceedings.
Limited sittings in select regional hubs
As a result, courts will restrict sittings to a defined group of regional centres where security services can be reliably maintained. Those locations are:
- Broome
- Kununurra
- South Hedland
- Karratha
- Carnarvon
- Geraldton
- Kalgoorlie
- Northam
- Albany
- Bunbury
- Busselton
- Mandurah
Court registries in most other regional locations will close, and scheduled sittings will be vacated.
The measures are stated to apply from 1 June to 28 August 2026. The heads of jurisdiction noted the arrangement will remain in place only for so long as is necessary to ensure the safety and security of all court users, although it is not clear whether this implies they could be withdrawn before 28 August, or could be extended after that date.
Magistrates Court and Children’s Court most affected
The disruption is expected to fall most heavily on the Magistrates Court and the Children’s Court, which handle the bulk of matters in regional and remote communities.
While some proceedings may be conducted via video link, courts have indicated that arrangements will vary by jurisdiction, with further detail to be set out in practice notes issued by the individual courts.
On 15 May 2026, the Children’s Court issued an Information Note providing further guidance, while the Magistrates Court released a Practice Direction containing additional information.
Access to justice concerns
The courts acknowledged the “significant disruption” the arrangements will cause, particularly for court users in remote communities who may now face travel to regional hubs or delays in the hearing of their matters. The chiefs said the changes were necessary in the absence of assurances that proceedings could be conducted safely without adequate security and custodial services.
The announcement underscores the fragility of service delivery in our regions, where court operations depend heavily on inter-agency cooperation and limited local resources.
It is not clear from the announcement what has triggered the lack of WAPOL resources or how this is likely to be resolved. The Law Society is seeking further information from the government and will keep the profession updated.
